The 10 best professional kitchen knives

Let's check these 10 Professional Knives for Slicing, Dicing & Filleting

 Do you want to enjoy the convenience and precision of professional kitchen knives in your own kitchen? Knivesandtools has everything you need! In our range, you'll find professional kitchen knives that you can use every day. We've put together a selection of the best professional chef's knives, santokus, fillet knives, and other professional kitchen knives to help you make the right choice.

What are professional kitchen knives?

There are no specifications that officially define a knife as a professional kitchen knife. To compile this list, we focused on a few factors that a professional would also consider when choosing a kitchen knife. These are the specifications that the knives must meet:

The knife should feel good in the hand. After all, a chef needs to be able to use it all day long.

If your hands are wet, it shouldn't slip out of your hands. That's why the handle should be slightly stiff.

Hygiene is very important in spaces where food is prepared. Therefore, the knife should be easy to clean. Many of the suppliers of the knives featured in this top 10 claim that their knives are even dishwasher-safe. We advise against this. 

In this regard, maintaining a professional kitchen knife shouldn't take too much time. Therefore, it should be made of easy-care materials. Therefore, knives with carbon steel blades or improved ones with wooden handles are not an option.

A professional kitchen knife is used frequently, which means it will eventually need sharpening. Some knives are easier to sharpen than others. Ease of sharpening is something many professionals consider when purchasing knives. Those without a bolster are generally easier to sharpen because the bolster gets in the way when trying to sharpen a knife on a whetstone.

What are the best professional kitchen knives?

It's not easy to determine which are the best knives. A knife that some love may be hated by others, for example. Besides, a professional chef doesn't use just one knife. They work with different types of knives, each with its own function. That's why, for this top 10, we've chosen to offer variety.

Eden Classic Damast Chef's Knife 20 cm

Eden Classic Damast Chef's Knife 20 cm

A chef's knife is called that for a reason. It's an essential tool for any professional chef. It's an incredibly versatile knife that can handle most cutting tasks. This chef's knife from the Eden Classic Damascus collection offers professional quality at a great price. It's enhanced with a hard core of AUS10 steel sandwiched between multiple layers of Damascus steel. This type of steel is easy to sharpen. You can read more about Damascus here . The blade runs the entire length of the handle. Thanks to the seamless construction, the knife is easy to clean.

Zwilling 38408-181 Pro knife with granton edge

Zwilling 38408-181 Pro knife with granton edge

The santoku is basically the Japanese version of the chef's knife. The difference lies in the cutting technique. You can read more about the differences between the two knives here . One isn't better or worse than the other; it's simply a matter of personal preference. This santoku comes from the Zwilling Pro collection. The blade is forged from a single piece of steel that runs seamlessly through the plastic handle. The dimples on the blade are particularly striking, ensuring food doesn't stick to the blade. We tested whether this works ourselves .

Kai Seki Magoroku Shoso nakiri 16.5 cm

Kai Seki Magoroku Shoso nakiri, 16.5 cm

This knife is made from a single piece of steel, which has some important advantages: the lack of cracks prevents bacteria from accumulating, and the all-steel handle is much more durable than a wooden or plastic one. The Kai Seki Magoroku Shoso nakiri is a Japanese kitchen knife for vegetables. The nakiri can be found in almost every Japanese kitchen. The tall, square blade is ideal for quickly slicing vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The tall blade allows you to safely guide the blade past your knuckles while slicing, and the straight edge makes it easy to cut straight strips of vegetables.

WMF Spitzenklasse Plus 1895486032 chef's knife 20 cm

WMF Spitzenklasse Plus 1895486032 chef's knife 20 cm

The WMF Spitzenklasse Plus 20cm chef's knife is the perfect choice for professionals looking for a classic and durable knife. This versatile chef's knife effortlessly slices through vegetables, meat, fish, and fruit, and is ideal for precise cutting tasks. Made from X50CrMoV15 steel, it offers excellent sharpness and corrosion resistance, while precision laser sharpening ensures quality. The durable POM handle ensures a hygienic and comfortable grip, with optimal balance that protects your fingers. WMF has stood for style and functionality in the kitchen since 1853.

Victorinox Fibrox Bread Knife 26 cm 

Victorinox Fibrox Bread Knife 26 cm 

A good bread knife (or, more accurately, a good serrated knife) is indispensable in the professional kitchen. With this Victorinox bread or pastry knife, you can easily slice any type of bread. It's also ideal for cutting cakes and pies because the rounded tip is used for serving. But did you know you can also use the serrated knife to cut hard vegetables and fruits, such as melons? The handle of this knife is made of Fibrox (hence its name). Fibrox has the qualities of rubber, but is processed like plastic. Because it's relatively rigid, you can safely use the knife even when your hands are wet or when wearing gloves.

Gerber Controller 10" Salt Fillet Knife

Gerber Controller 10" Salt Fillet Knife

The Gerber Controller 10" Salt Fillet Knife 30-003559 is a fixed blade knife for anglers. Gerber worked with several experienced anglers to come up with the perfect design. Thanks to the ultra-fine 9Cr18MoV steel, the long blade is perfect for filleting fish; it’s also slightly flexible, making the task easier. Gerber used 9Cr18MoV steel because it’s strong, sharp, and rust-proof. Plus, the blade is easy to clean thanks to its polished finish. There are three different versions of the Controller: 6", 8", and 10". Since there are so many different types of fish, a knife that’s the right size is very important.

Yaxell Ran 36000 chef's knife 20 cm

Yaxell Ran 36000 chef's knife 20 cm

The Yaxell Ran 20cm chef's knife is a Japanese knife with a stunning design. This knife is a true all-rounder in the kitchen. Large enough to cut meat, fish, or vegetables, yet small enough to chop spices or garlic cloves. The knife is easy to control thanks to its good balance and razor-sharp edge. The blade, made from 69 layers of Damascus steel and a VG10 steel core, offers a razor-sharp edge and excellent hardness (61 HRC). The micarta handle ensures a firm grip even in wet conditions, and the elegant design makes this knife not only functional but also a stunning addition to your kitchen.

Robert Herder Straight Classic Paring Knife, Stainless Steel, White, 8.5 cm

Robert Herder Straight Classic Paring Knife, Stainless Steel, White, 8.5 cm

The Robert Herder Straight Classic stainless steel paring knife is perfect for professionals who need a knife for precise cutting tasks. This small knife is ideal for preparation work, such as chopping onions or peeling vegetables or fruit. Made of stainless steel, the blade is hand-sharpened using the traditional "Solinger Dünnschliff" method. The plastic handle is comfortable to hold, hygienic, and easy to clean. Robert Herder's craftsmanship ensures high quality and durability, making each knife an indispensable tool for chefs.

Tojiro DP F807-18 3-layer chef's knife 18 cm

Tojiro DP F807-18 3-layer chef's knife 18 cm

The Tojiro DP 18-centimeter chef's knife is perfect for professionals who demand versatility and precision. Despite its slightly shorter length, this knife is ideal for both large chopping jobs and fine cutting tasks, such as peeling garlic or mincing spices. The 3-layer blade with a VG10 steel core offers an excellent balance of hardness and corrosion resistance. The black ECO handle ensures durability and comfort. Tojiro's combination of traditional Japanese techniques and modern production methods makes this knife a reliable choice in any professional kitchen.

Victorinox Fibrox Chinese Chef's Knife 18 cm

Victorinox Fibrox Chinese Chef's Knife 18 cm

The Victorinox Fibrox Chinese Chef's Knife is an excellent choice for professionals who work with a lot of vegetables. This knife, with its tall yet thin and sharp blade, is ideal for chopping spices and vegetables or crushing garlic. The ergonomic Fibrox handle provides a sturdy grip even with wet hands, and this knife is dishwasher safe for easy maintenance. Lightweight and well-balanced, this knife is comfortable even during extended use.